My thoughts upon leaving the Nothing ecosystem.

Anonymous1155 · 2026-01-24T00:42:13+00:00

Ich begann mein Abenteuer mit Nothing, als ich das Ohr(2) bekam. Am Ende bekam ich ein Phone(2), Phone(3a), Ear(a), Ear(Open) und zahlreiche CMF-Uhren und den Power Brick. Ich liebte Ästhetik. Ich liebte das Telefon(2). Ich war begeistert, Teil einer Gemeinschaft zu sein, die sich einzigartig anfühlte und Spaß machte. Mir gefielen die Designoptionen, ich liebte, wie einfach das Betriebssystem war und wie sauber es aussah. Ich liebte die Kopfhörer. Auch das Phone(3a) hat mir sehr gut gefallen. Es fühlte sich erstklassig zu einem guten Preis an und die leichten Upgrades der Software waren großartig. Es sah immer noch großartig aus und war ein Gesprächsstarter. Es fühlte sich an, als wäre ich in die alte HTC-Zeit zurückversetzt, als Telefone Spaß machten und die Software-Updates immer mit Spannung erwartet wurden. Letzten Sommer begann meine Meinung jedoch sauer zu werden. Der Start von Phone(3) fühlte sich anders an. Ich hatte mich für die Essential Space-Idee entschieden, denn das ist es, was ich mir von einer guten KI wünsche, aber viele der Kommentare rund um 3 und KI kamen bei mir nicht gut an. Carls Rede von einem „nativen KI-Betriebssystem“ machte mir Sorgen. Als die Dinge über NothingOS 4.0 herauskamen, begann sich meine Meinung wirklich zu ändern. Mit dem Start der Beta war ich gespannt darauf, sie auszuprobieren, aber meine Erwartungen wurden gedämpft. Ich hatte mir selbst die Grenze gesetzt – wenn mich 4.0 nicht umhauen würde, würde ich darüber nachdenken, das Ökosystem zu verlassen. Neuigkeiten über Playground, Neuigkeiten über Lock Glimpse, Neuigkeiten über das KI-Dashboard – das alles hat mich meiner Entscheidung einen Schritt näher gebracht. Als Stable 4.0 auf den Markt kam, war ich verblüfft darüber, wie langweilig, ohne Merkmale und *nicht Nothing* es sich anfühlte. Keine neuen Widgets. Keine neuen, von Nothing inspirierten Designelemente. Minimales neues Thema. Der mit Spannung erwartete Spielplatz funktionierte nicht einmal. Bloatware wurde ohne Benachrichtigung hinzugefügt. Für mich fiel es flacher als ein entleerter Ballon und machte meine Entscheidung wirklich klar. Fügen Sie die Kommunikation von Nothing hinzu, insbesondere über Lock Glimpse, und es kam bei mir wirklich nicht gut an. Es fühlte sich wirklich… schlecht an. Kurz nach Neujahr bin ich wieder auf Pixel umgestiegen. Ich habe mein Pixel 7 für das Phone(2) aufgegeben und sie haben mir immer gefallen. Seitdem hat es mir wirklich die Augen dafür geöffnet, wie einfach Nothing kreativ bankrott geworden ist. Ich weiß, dass es einen großen Unterschied zwischen Google und Nothing gibt, aber es gibt so viele kleine Dinge, an denen Nothing hätte arbeiten können. Ich habe unzählige Anfragen gesehen, die zwischen hier und Reddit ad naseum wiederholt und völlig ignoriert wurden. Kleine Verbesserungen der Lebensqualität, die wahrscheinlich nicht einmal in Betracht gezogen werden. Die Rückkehr zu Pixel hat mich ehrlich daran erinnert, warum ich Android liebe, was ich wirklich zu vergessen begann, als ich mein Telefon (3a) benutzte. Dadurch fühlt sich Nothing wirklich wie eine preisgünstige Marke an. Ich werde die grassierende Giftigkeit der Community gar nicht erst ansprechen, jeder, der genug Zeit hier verbringt, wird es irgendwann sehen. Dies wird mein letzter Beitrag sein. Es hat Spaß gemacht, Nothing. Ich hoffe, dass Sie Ihren einzigartigen Funken wiederfinden.

Anonymous1155

I started my adventure with Nothing when I got the Ear(2). I ended up getting a Phone(2), Phone(3a), Ear(a), Ear(Open), and numerous CMF watches and the power brick. I loved aesthetics. I loved the Phone(2). I was stoked to be part of a community that felt unique, that felt fun. I loved the design choices, I loved how simple the OS was, and how clean it looked. I loved the headphones. I even really liked the Phone(3a). It felt premium at a good price, and the slight upgrades to the software were great. It still looked awesome, and was a conversation starter. It felt like I was back in the old school HTC days, where phones felt fun and the software updates were always highly anticipated.

Last summer however, my opinion began to sour. The Phone(3) launch felt different. I had bought into the Essential Space idea, somce thats what I want a good AI to do, but a lot of the comments around 3 and AI didnt set well with me. Carl talking about a “native AI OS” made me worried. When things started coming out about NothingOS 4.0, thats when my opinion started to really change. With the launch of the beta, I was excited to try it, but my expectations were tempered. I had set the line for myself - If 4.0 didnt blow me away, I was going to explore leaving the ecosystem. News about Playground, news about Lock Glimpse, news about the AI dashboard, it all made me inch closer to my decision.

When stable 4.0 launched, I was taken aback by just how bland, featureless, and not Nothing it felt. No new widgets. No new Nothing inspired design elements. Minimal new theming. The highly anticipated Playground wasnt even working. Bloatware added without any notification. To me, it fell flatter than deflated balloon, and really made my decision clear. Add in the communication from Nothing, especially about Lock Glimpse, and it really didnt set well with me. It really felt… bad.

Shortly after the new year, I switched back to Pixel. I left my Pixel 7 for the Phone(2), and Ive always liked them. Since then, its really opened my eyes to how just creatively bankrupt Nothing has become. I know theres a huge difference between Google and Nothing, but theres so many small things that Nothing could have worked on. Ive seen tons of requests repeated ad naseum between here and Reddit get completely ignored. Little quality of life upgrades that probably dont even get considered. Going back to Pixel has honestly reminded me why I love Android, which I was really starting to forget when I was using my Phone(3a). It really makes Nothing feel like a budget brand.

Im not even going to touch the rampant toxicity of the community, anyone who spends enough time here will see it eventually.

This will be my last post. Its been fun, Nothing. I hope you’ll be able to find your unique spark again.

PREET AJMERI

Anonymous1155 I truly believe that NOTHING is doing really well as a young and evolving company. No brand achieves real success in just a few days, months, or even years, it takes patience, consistency, and the courage to learn from mistakes. NOTHING is still expanding, experimenting, and trying to resolve its challenges, which is a natural part of growth. I understand that the Nothing Phone (3) was controversial for many people. Even I wasn’t fully convinced at first, but after spending time designing mobile phones myself and understanding the design philosophy, my perspective changed around December. The only place where I feel NOTHING slightly miscalculated was the pricing. However, every company goes through ups and downs, and that’s what shapes its future direction.

What truly deserves appreciation is the community NOTHING has built. This platform has given so many people the opportunity to express themselves, share ideas, and voice opinions openly. That itself is rare in the mobile phone industry. I genuinely believe that the moderators and admins are doing their best to make this community better and more welcoming for everyone. I respect your decision to leave the NOTHING ecosystem — it’s your choice, and no one should force you to stay. At the end of the day, the mobile phone industry is a game of patience and time. Progress doesn’t happen overnight.

I strongly believe in the mantra “Mañana será bonito” — which means “Tomorrow will be beautiful.” And I truly believe that for NOTHING, tomorrow will be beautiful too.

thelahee

Bro’s spitting straight facts, Nothing has really fallen off over the last year

Dimas

I get where you’re coming from, this reads more like disappointment than anger. While I still see potential in what Nothing is trying to build, feedback like this is crucial if they want to move in the right direction.

Anonymous1155

Dimas And thats what it is - Disapointment. I remember getting my Phone(2). I remember how Carl and the team talked about their vision for Nothing: making phone use more deliberate. More meaningful. I remember setting up my homescreen and finding out how the new widgets work, how I can set up the lockscreen, all the options with the glyph lights. The music widget blew me away (its still easily my favorite android widget, probably ever), being able to set essential notifications was awesome, and it felt just like he described, I was using my phone deliberately. I didnt need to check my phone with every notification, just the essential ones. The first while with my Phone(2) felt awesome. Thats what I miss. And honestly? I got that feeling setting up my Pixel 10.

Nothing has let their focus on community diminish. Yeah, sure, they do the “Community Edition”, yet the Community Widgets app sits with one widget while the community has showcased dozens of amazing widgets theyve mocked up. All comunication nowdays seems reactive.

Nothing has pulled focus away from deliberate phone use, IMO, by switching to the glyph matrix. Its essentially just a second screen at this point. To me, adding games to it was pretty antithetical to their original vision and mission.

Their focus on AI is disapointing. Which sucks, because Essential Space was good when it launched. Even some of the additions since have been good. But I dont want AI making my widgets, sorting my apps, or deciding what notifications I want to see.

Dimas

I can relate to a lot of what you’re saying, especially the disappointment part. Personally, I still experience that “deliberate phone use” with Nothing, mostly through UX choices.. a widget-focused homescreen, at a glance information, and monotone app icons that help reduce distraction. That philosophy still works for me.

Where I agree with you is around the meaning of “Essential.” If Essential Space is positioned as something core, it needs to be more than AI collecting screenshots and generating to-dos. Especially as a former Essential Phone PH-1 user, I feel that name carries weight — it should evolve into something genuinely powerful and long-term useful.

I don’t have an issue with AI itself; so far it suits my usage. The direction and execution matter more than the presence of AI.

Some recent decisions, like Lock Glimpse or the inclusion of Meta services, do feel a bit misaligned with the clean and intentional philosophy that originally defined Nothing. Even if they’re optional or removable, it raises questions about focus.

I’ve been actively sending feedback over the past couple of months, and the support responses have been constructive. I don’t know yet how much of that feedback translates into product changes, but I still hope thoughtful input like this helps Nothing move in a better direction.

Coldpaw

I kind of understand the disappointment. However in particular in regards of the Phone (3), I feel a bit different: At first I was completely underwhelmed by this phone because I was epxecting something completely different. I gave it another good looks two days after launch and it quickly started to grow on me, so much that I preordered it on Friday when they went live. So far I have been really enjoying this phone, it’s not without flaws, but it’s a great overall phone.

For me, Nothing OS 4.0 overall also felt like a letdown. Long time small requests haven’t been listened to. Instead we got another beta (or worse, this time even alpha) “feature” which is incomplete and flawed. I thought they might learn from their Nothing Gallery mistake back when they released OS 3.0, when they announced their native gallery app as one of the headline features, yet it was only starting to be really usable well over half a year later. If a feature isn’t ready for prime time, just keep on developing it before releasing it to the general public. Same goes for that weird Playground thing, this time however, there was little else besides Playground in terms of features for the new Nothing OS.

While OS 4.0 at least for me overall feels more polished and has improved battery life somewhat, it also feels lacking. More clock widgets to get the lockscreen clocks on your homescreen? Nope. Option to switch between light and dark clocks on the lockscreen? Nope. Option to even customize the clock color for the lockscreen? Nope. Allow to further customize the “Smart” app drawer because it fails to get good results? Nope.

Personally I also dislike the heavy AI focus Nothing is trying to achieve, in fact it is one part of a larger puzzle which makes me already predict Phone (3) will likely be my last Nothing Phone.